*) By: Sefian Anwar
New Year Holidays New Year is a moment awaited by the Indonesian people. As in previous years, the surge in community activities during this period brings its own challenges, one of which is the increased need for electricity supply in various regions. The government through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and PT PLN (Persero) ensures that the electricity supply will remain stable and safe during the long New Year 2025 and Christmas 2024 holidays.
The government has taken anticipatory steps against the potential surge in electricity consumption. A number of scenarios have been prepared to ensure that electricity supplies are maintained, especially in areas with high visitor numbers such as tourist attractions, shopping centers, and densely populated residential areas.
The Director General of Electricity of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Jisman Hutajulu, said that the energy needs ahead of the New Year holiday period can be ensured to be safe and sufficient. According to Jisman, the results of the margin research between electricity supply and demand show sufficient conditions to support community activities during the New Year holidays. He also explained that people’s electricity consumption during Christmas and New Year (Nataru) usually decreases by up to 13%. However, if there is an increase in consumption such as in 2023 which reached 8%, PLN is ready to anticipate. This increase in consumption is actually a positive indication of economic growth.
Meanwhile, PT PLN (Persero) ensures the readiness of infrastructure from upstream to downstream. All power plants, transmission networks, and substations have undergone regular inspections and maintenance. The standby team works 24 hours to monitor and maintain electricity stability. The capacity of power plants and power reserves are optimized to anticipate spikes in electricity consumption. The average peak electricity load during the Nataru period is estimated to increase by around 5-10 percent compared to normal days, but the national electricity reserves are still within safe limits.
Director of Transmission and System Planning, Evy Haryadi said, PLN itself has set the Nataru Standby Period from December 18, 2024 to January 8, 2025 by involving more than 81,000 personnel on standby throughout Indonesia. He explained that places of worship and public spaces that are centers of crowds are PLN’s priority in maintaining adequate electricity supply. To ensure the reliability of electricity supply during Nataru, PLN has also established thousands of standby posts nationwide equipped with equipment such as Mobile Substation Units (UGB), Mobile Cubicle Units, Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), operational vehicle generators, and cranes.
Rapid response teams are placed at various strategic points to ensure smooth electricity supply. The team from PT PLN is tasked with responding to power outages, especially in crucial locations such as places of worship, public facilities, and tourist areas. Operational areas have been divided and standby posts have been established in all service units. The public can report power outages through the official complaint service available, and the repair process will be carried out as quickly as possible.
The long holiday period of Christmas and New Year is synonymous with increased activity in tourist areas. Several destinations such as Bali, Yogyakarta, and Bandung are expected to experience a significant spike in visits. The government together with PLN have mapped areas that are prone to increased electricity consumption. Electricity supply in tourist destinations receives special attention with the provision of supporting equipment such as generators and mobile substation units.
Although the electricity supply is guaranteed to be stable, the public is urged to use electricity wisely. The use of electronic devices such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and water heaters needs to be regulated as efficiently as possible so that the electricity load remains under control. Unused electrical devices are advised to be turned off, especially for people who plan to travel during the long holiday.
The current national electricity capacity is around 60,000 MW with a power reserve of around 30 percent. The available power reserve is still able to cover the needs, even if there is a spike in electricity consumption. The government is coordinating with related parties to monitor electricity conditions in real time during the Nataru holiday period.
PLN Nusantara Power President Director Ruly Firmansyah emphasized that the electricity supply will remain stable during the Christmas and New Year (Nataru) holidays, thanks to the anticipatory steps taken by PLN. The State Electricity Company ensures the readiness of the system by increasing the electricity reserve capacity in priority areas, especially tourist areas and transportation hubs. In addition, PLN has prepared a 24-hour standby team, strengthened the distribution network, and provided backup generators in strategic locations to anticipate sudden disruptions. With these steps, the government is optimistic that the community’s electricity needs during the long holiday can be met without any obstacles, supporting public comfort and security.
The government’s readiness to maintain electricity supply during the Christmas and New Year holidays shows its commitment to providing the best service to the community. With adequate infrastructure, a 24-hour standby team, and cross-sector coordination, the community is expected to be able to celebrate the holidays comfortably and calmly without worrying about power outages. The community is also asked to support this effort by using electricity wisely and reporting disruptions through the official channels that have been provided. With this joint step, the Nataru holiday can run smoothly and become a moment full of happiness for all parties.
*) The author is a contributor to the Nusantara Reading Room